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ZNF23 induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells

Chuanxin Huang1, Shenglian Yang, Ruiliang Ge

  • 1Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.

Cancer Letters
|April 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Zinc finger protein ZNF23 induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells by activating caspases and down-regulating Bcl-XL. Reduced ZNF23 levels in ovarian cancers may promote tumor cell survival.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Zinc finger protein ZNF23 levels are reduced in human cancers.
  • ZNF23 inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ZNF23 in inducing apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms by which ZNF23 induces apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Assessing ZNF23 protein levels in ovarian cancers versus normal ovaries.
  • Introducing ZNF23 into ovarian cancer cells to observe apoptotic effects.
  • Measuring caspase-3 activation, nuclear condensation, and sub-G1 DNA content.
  • Evaluating mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9 activation.
  • Analyzing the effect of ZNF23 on Bcl-XL expression.

Main Results:

  • ZNF23 protein levels are significantly down-regulated in ovarian cancers.
  • ZNF23 introduction into ovarian cancer cells triggers apoptosis, evidenced by caspase-3 activation, nuclear condensation, and sub-G1 peak.
  • Apoptosis induced by ZNF23 involves loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9 activation.
  • ZNF23 partially induces apoptosis through the down-regulation of Bcl-XL.

Conclusions:

  • ZNF23 induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, suggesting a role in tumor suppression.
  • Down-regulation of ZNF23 may contribute to ovarian cancer cell survival.

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